Tocqueville"s "Democracy in America"

       Last evening I attended an excellent presentation at the Chippewa County Historical Society Agency in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.  Dr. Jonathan Allen, Professor of Political Science at Northern Michigan University, provided information about Alexis de Tocqueville's (1805-1859) and Gustavede de Beaumont's (1802-1866) journey throughout Michigan and Wisconsin and other surrounding states and territories to learn about the penal system during the 1800s.  Tocqueville also wrote  two books entitled "Democracy in America."  These explorers sought to discover what the relationship between the native people and Europeans was and if they could refute or support the views of the European explorers and settlers. To explain further,as far back as the 1590s and early 1600s the Europeans viewed the native people as savages.  That point of view was still evident during the time of their exploration.
         The judgement of providence went against the Native Americans.  Technological progress was seen as a rite of passage and self proclaimed superiority.  Tocqueville discovered that divine providence was not determined by one's race.  He was afraid that the democracy held by the European settlers was threatened by their materialistic viewpoints. The antimaterialism demonstrated by the Native Americans went against the beliefs held dearly by the Europeans.
       Tocqueville asked this question, "Why do we see the greatest amount of political freedom coupled with the highest amount of conformity?" Tocqueville compared the views of democracy to the elitist point of view based in Europe. This isn't a new concept.  Remember Copernicus and Galileo.  They went against the mindsets of the elitists and were either put to death or confined to solitude to prevent them from spreading a new way of thinking that went against the elitists' point of view. It was also noted that unpopular views goes against the majority.  Did the majority actually buy into the what the elitists and rulers enforced or were they afraid to go against the norm?
       In order to ensure self worth was to do whatever everybody else is doing.  Allen stated that the purpose of the French Revolution was to sweep away the ranks of power, which in turn created a centralized rule with a lot of vulnerability.  Political supporters misused their power as a result of the growing materialism.  Another viewpoint that was explored was federalism.  Federalism differed greatly from the political system in Europe at the time of Tocqueville and Beaumont's exploration.  In Europe the rule was more unilateral; while in the United States the rule was based on federalism with many layers of rule. 
       Allen also provided information about the Puritans.  The Puritans ensured that men and women were educated equally.  Everyone needed to be able to read and understand the scriptures.  What came to mind was my studies of Plato.  He was also ahead of his time.  Plato believed that women needed to be educated because they were raising the children.  In Plato's Republic, he purported that democracy was threatened because the inhabitants were worshipping the wrong gods such as goods and services. 
       The Quakers went even further regarding the practicing of a egalitarian way of life.  They were peace loving and believed the Indians held the light of God inside them.  They believed the Indian people were their equals and they worked alongside them.  It amazed Tocqueville that there was a celebration of the mixing between two cultures, French and Native Americans.  The Metis was the end result of the mixing which was represented by the French and Indian people coupling in marriage and procreating.  The results of this procreation was referred to as a new segment of the population referred to as Metis. 
         Allen's presentation was thought provoking and brought up the question of what was actually discovered during their exploration of the penal system.  He hinted that the judgement of providence went against the Native Americans and they were considered savages by the majority.  Allen also suggested that the French and Native American unions were celebrated.  He also stated that the British proved to be untrustworthy.  I requested that Allen send me his presentation notes so in future correspondence I may reveal the rest of the story.